The Deleterious Effects of Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, illustrates that behavior is innate and, for better or worse worse, can be influenced by society. Austen further demonstrates that behavior is changeable by focusing on two aspects of behavior: prejudice and pride. The deleterious effects of prejudice and pride and the possibility of reform are illustrated in a story that focuses on the ideals, ceremonies, and customs of marriage. Austen's attempts to demonstrate conclusively that the essence of behavior is intrinsic to a person's disposition, character, and temperament. . She successfully establishes this by describing the innate qualities of Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth has a natural sagacity; she is able to examine situations, affairs and relationships intuitively and with remarkable insight. For example, in chapter four, when Elizabeth expresses her displeasure with the Bingley sisters' manners and apparent character, Jane defends them but, "Elizabeth listened silently, but was not convinced; their behavior at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general and with more rapidity of observation and less suppleness of humor than her sister, and with a judgment too little assailed by any attention to herself, she was very little. willing to approve of them” (Austen 12) Ultimately, Elizabeth’s suspicions are confirmed when the two Bingley sisters betray Jane’s kindness and attempt to unfairly dissuade their brother’s affection. of his congenital sapience. Austen also emphasizes in Darcy that behavior is intrinsically determined. Darcy's admirable generosity marks the positive aspect of his nature and is illustrated several times throughout the novel. Through a series of events, the reader learns that Darcy willingly provided enough for Wickham, contrary to Wickham's slanderous claims. Darcy's generosity and genuine concern for others are again confirmed by his unsolicited assistance in unraveling Wickham and Lydia's reckless affairs. Austen also indirectly states that behavior is subject to external influence and that any element of behavior can be cultivated. For example, Elizabeth realizes Darcy's pride after hearing him respond to Bingley that "she is tolerable, but not fair enough to tempt me" (Austen 9). Elizabeth's prejudices are cultivated by her mother who states that "...he is a most disagreeable and horrible man, not at all worth agreeing with. So high and vain that he does not I couldn't bear it!" (Austen 10). Returning to the situation around Wickham, we see that Elizabeth's prejudices against Darcy are once again fueled by the defamatory remarks that Wickham makes towards her..